Caesarean Birth as a Rite of Passage

​A little while ago, I had the opportunity to support a caesarean birth. The experience left me feeling both humbled and deeply grateful to witness, and I’d like to share it.

The mother was hoping for a calm and positive birth experience — something she hadn’t felt she had with her previous births. She had initially been planning to give birth either at home or at the hospital she had chosen, but her baby had a different plan.

In the later weeks of pregnancy, the baby remained in a breech position. The mother did her best to encourage the baby to turn, but the baby stayed breech.

She explored the option of a vaginal breech birth and sought information and support from the hospital. However, she felt that she would not receive the level of support she was hoping for there.

After thoughtful reflection, she shifted her plans and began preparing herself for a gentle and calm caesarean birth.

We spent several evenings discussing her wishes and plans for this unexpected birth, and how they could best be supported.

On the day of the birth, the mother, the midwives, the consultant, and I spent time together discussing how her wishes could be honoured as much as possible. While there were a few things that could not be achieved, many of the elements that were most important to her were supported.

One of her key wishes was to have more than one minute of optimal cord clamping, which is often the maximum time typically offered during a caesarean birth. She therefore explored the possibility of a lotus birth, where the cord is not cut and the placenta remains attached to the baby until the mother feels ready to separate it later.

Although this is not standard practice, her consultant was open to listening and worked with the team to find a way to support her wishes — including keeping the baby on the mother’s legs with support while the placenta was born. (More details of the lotus caesarean birth can be found here.)

It was also important to her to have vaginal seeding, and her midwife supported her in doing so.

Throughout the birth, she was spoken to gently, just as she had strongly hoped. Later, she reflected that it had been a calm and magical birth experience — something she deeply needed.

The WHO states that, at a population level, caesarean section rates higher than 10% are not associated with reductions in maternal and newborn mortality rates. Yet, according to local statistics, the current rate in our health board was over 45% in February 2026.

This is not about individual choices or decision-making, but it does invite reflection on the wider systemic factors that may be influencing these numbers.

As a doula, I have sometimes witnessed subtle — often unintentional — forms of coercion within a healthcare system that is facing staff shortages and increasing pressures on resources.

Through this birth support, I also felt hope. I saw professionals who continue to work with heart — those who truly listen to birthing mothers and families, and who are willing to explore creative ways to support individual wishes.

For this, I hold deep gratitude.

On that day, I felt a strong sense of humanity in the care that was given, and seeing the mother’s glowing smile warmed my heart.

When the mother entered the theatre, she sat on the operating bed, curling gently into herself as she waited for the spinal anaesthetic. In that moment, all she could do was surrender — trusting the healthcare professionals around her and placing the safety of both herself and her baby in their hands. It may be different from a physiological vaginal birth, but it still requires a profound surrender and the courage to sit with what is unfolding.

She was frightened, yet she sat there with quiet strength.

From my past experiences supporting caesarean births, I have always known that it is never an “easy way out.” This time, I felt deeply humbled to witness this mother’s rite of passage.

Mothers and birthing people carry incredible strength as they navigate their journeys, even when they unfold differently from what they had expected.

The mother will be sharing her inspiring birth story very soon — watch this space.

*She had a planned caesarean birth. In unplanned or emergency caesarean births, there may not be as much time to discuss options beforehand, and some choices may be more limited.